When guests are happy, the hospitality industry thrives. Based on Booking.com’s 2021 Sustainable Travel Report, 83%* of global travelers think sustainable travel is vital, with 61%* saying the pandemic has made them want to travel more sustainably in the future.
Sustainable efforts are also a hot topic that companies worldwide have invested their time, efforts, and resources. If we can switch to more sustainable living ways and shopping, the hospitality industry is no different. There are plenty that any management team can do regarding going green, here are some ideas on how to incorporate sustainability into your hospitality business.
- Reduce the usage of plastic products, offer biodegradable packaging.
Recognizing that plastic has a devastating impact on our health and the planet (after all, the two are interrelated). Reducing plastics is another easy way to help hotels reduce carbon dioxide emissions and stop adding them to the global plastic waste problems. Start by replacing plastic straws with glass or metal ones and changing plastic water bottles with reusable glass bottles. And those little plastic shampoos and conditioners? Refillable glass containers are the answer.
- Reduce paper usage, go digital, and be cashless.
Technology and email are rapidly replacing paper receipts and invoices. Paper receipts are often lost or discarded. Consider using email for e-receipts of room and dining charges to avoid wasting paper. Implementing a digital guest room tablet is unique and can eliminate the need for paper menus.
A cashless society creates exciting new possibilities for CRM. For example, using QR code mobile ordering would make it easier for the guest to purchase meals and drinks from the hotel kitchen. It is convenient too for the hotel staff to have a direct digital footprint from the guest order details in.
- Eradicate the food wastage, conduct a waste audit, use an inventory system
Let’s take baby steps when it comes to hotel food waste management. The first step is to perform a waste audit. Ask employees to find out where most of the waste comes from and choose the best way to reduce that amount. You can also get guests’ feedback to understand why this happens and how you can make improvements.
Waste disposal costs are likely to increase. Start by putting a trash can in the room, using biodegradable bags, and teaching guests how to separate waste can make a difference.
You can also use an inventory system like what PouchNATION offers. The supply item feature will help you track the stocks of raw materials whenever the product is sold and synced from the POS. You can create, edit, or remove the supply items list on the dashboard. All included in the report consist of a real-time inventory tracking summary and summary of the inventory movement. As a result of having clearer visibility on the inventory and its movement, you can manage and plan your inventory better. Such as buying the right amount of supplies, or crafting a promotion for supplies that are still high in stock to ensure it was sold before it goes bad.
- Invest in green infrastructure.
Energy efficiency is one of the most widely implemented sustainability practices.
Advances in HVAC hardware technology provide businesses with new opportunities to save on energy costs. Hotels have their advantage on this. Air source heat pumps can be used as energy-efficient space heaters or coolers, removing the need to overload a central HVAC system.
Smart, connected water meters help alleviate that challenge by monitoring and adjusting water quality in real-time.
Consider adding a natural resource like bamboo into your hotel decorations. Whether it’s the lobby, rooms, or dining area, items made from bamboo offer extraordinary sustainability benefits.
- Give your operations a check-up.
Regularly, you need to conduct an audit of equipment. This way you can make sure that you are using the right amount of power. Whether in use or standby mode. Your audit will assess your current energy use, identify energy-saving opportunities, and help you quantify potential short- and long-term savings. Monitoring sensors are available for most equipment types in your hotel, from HVAC systems to furnaces to generators. These easy-to-use systems come with wireless reporting systems for predictive maintenance.
